THE SUNDAY NEWS

 

FEBRUARY 24, 2008

 

 

ELORA BETHANY PASTORAL CHARGE

The United Church of Canada

PO Box 737, Elora, ON  N0B 1S0 — 519.846.0122

www.elorabethanyuc.org          elorabethanyuc@bellnet.ca

 

MINISTERS:

All the Congregation

 Ordained Minister:

Greg Smith-Young

Minister for Children and Youth:

Barb Smith-Young

Music Coordinators:

Louise Elder (Elora)

Suzanne Flewelling (Bethany)

 

Office Hours:       Rev. Greg Smith-Young is usually in the office on weekday mornings.

Secretary Judy McMullan is in the office Thursdays & Fridays from 9:30 to 4:00.

 

 

Worship Theme for Lent

 

Prodigal Sons and Bitter Brothers . . .

and the Saviour Who Welcomes Us All

Exploring one of Jesus’ best-loved Stories

 

Jesus was often criticized for spending time with the wrong sort of people. How did he respond to his critics? He told stories, including the one we commonly call “The Parable of the Prodigal Son.” Stories have a way of getting through the defences we put up. Jesus uses his stories to change us, moving us deeper into the wonders of God. How might Jesus use it to move us?

February 10:   The Prodigal Son

February 17:   The Bitter Brother

February 24:   The Forgiving Father

March 2:   Finding Ourselves in the Story

March 9:   Celebrate with Me

March 16: The Welcoming Saviour (Palm/Passion Sunday)

 

High School Youth participating in today’s service are Hilary Abraham, Chrissy Davies, Ashley Goldsmith, Brent Goldsmith, Rachel Flewelling, Tracey Lapham, Jasmin Thomson.

 

Elora’s Annual Congregational Meeting is after worship today. We will start with a pot-luck lunch. If you didn’t bring a potluck item, don’t worry. We have lots! Enjoy some lunch and stay to participate in the life of your church. Thanks to our Youth Group, child care is available during the meeting.

These are vacancies we hope to fill at Elora’s Annual Meeting:

– 2 Presbytery representatives

– 1 Member-at-large of Council

– 1 Property representative and 1 Outreach representative on Council

Interested? Want to suggest someone? Please speak with Curt Hammond or Greg.

 

Bethany still needs one Steward and one Presbytery Rep. If you are interested in participating in the life of the church this way, or would like to suggest someone, please speak to Greg.

 

The Book Study Group will meet tonight, February 24th, in the home of Nancy Van Veen,(16 Water St.) from 7 - 9 pm. We will be discussing Chapter 1 "Crossroads", in Bill Phipps' book, "Cause for Hope". New members are welcome to be a part of the study group which meets once a month. If you are interested in purchasing a copy of Phipps' book for the discounted price of $22.85, contact John Markvart. (846 8678)

 

Women’s Spiritual Potluck The next meeting will be held this Friday, February 29th at 7:00 pm at the home of Jen Krul (846-2287). Bring a story, prayer, song or other source of inspiration to share. If you are not sure what to share, come and simply be nourished.

 

The Centre Wellington Ministerial is sponsoring weekly Lent Worship and Soup Lunch, Wednesdays from 12-1, at St. James’ Anglican Church in Fergus (beside the old outdoor pool). This can be a great part of your preparations for Holy Week and Easter.

 

Shamrock Supper The Elora UCW will be cooking up beef stew and baking up the ham for their famous Shamrock Supper to be held this Saturday, March 1st from 5-7 pm. More helpers are needed! Please see the helpers list in the lobby. Tickets are on sale at Little Katy, Ostic Insurance or the church office. Adults $10; children (12 & under) $3

 

Women's World Day of Prayer service will be held this year on Friday March 7th at 7:00 p.m. at Community of Christ Church in Elora (at the corner of James St. and Price St.). This year's worship material has been prepared by women from Guyana.

 

Elora’s annual Fish Fry dinner will be held on March 22, Holy Saturday, rather than Good Friday, this year. It will be at the church, once again. Tickets will be on sale starting March 1st.

 


Events This Week – Feb 24 to Mar 2

 

Today:            after worship        Elora Annual Congregational meeting

                                  7:00 pm        Junior Youth

                                  7:00 pm        Book Study Group at Nancy Van Veen’s (16 Water St.)

Monday:                 1:00 pm        Elora Quilters in the Bissell Room

                                  8:00 pm        Friendship Club (note change of day)

Wednesday:          6:45 pm        Elora Inviting and Welcoming Team

Thursday:              7:00 pm        Elora Cantata choir rehearsal

                                  8:15 pm        Praise Team

Friday:                    7:00 pm        Women’s Spiritual Potluck at Jen Krul’s (846-2287)

Saturday:               5 - 7 pm        Shamrock Supper at Elora United Church

Sunday:                                        *NO* Junior Choir rehearsal today – Louise will be away

                                        6:00 pm        High School Youth – The Gathering

 

Coming Up

 

Friday, March 7                 7:00 pm      Women’s World Day of Prayer service at Community of Christ Church             

Good Friday, Mar 21                            Youth Eventz in Hamilton

Holy Saturday, Mar 22                         Fish Fry Supper at Elora

Easter Sunday, Mar 23   7:00 am      Sunrise Service in Bissell Park

                                              9:20 am      Bethany Easter Service

                                            11:00 am      Elora Easter Service

 

In the Community

 

St. John’s Anglican Church is sponsoring a dramatic reading of St. Paul’s First Letter to the Christians in Corinth presented by Mark Tiller. This drama will be held today at 3 pm at St. John’s church in Elora. Donations will be going to support work among HIV/AIDS survivors world-wide.

 

Elora Bethany                                                                                        www.elorabethanyuc.org

The United Church of Canada National Office                                            www.united-church.ca

Hamilton Conference Office                                                                     www.hamconf.org

Waterloo Presbytery                                                                              www.sentex.net/~watpres

Camp Ganadaoweh                                                                                www.ganadaoweh.ca

United Observer Magazine                                                                      www.ucobserver.org

Five Oaks Conference and Education Centre                                            www.fiveoaks.on.ca